Andy Reid seems to insinuate that Chiefs aren’t interested in trading for safety

Despite Earl Thomas rumors and a perceived need at the position, Andy Reid seemed to distance the Chiefs from any interest in trading for a safety.

The Kansas City Chiefs are hurting in the secondary with long-term or lingering injuries to both Eric Berry and Daniel Sorensen. They’ve also failed to fill those positions in the short-term with quality options. Despite the obvious roster holes, head coach Andy Reid seemed to deny the Chiefs are inclined toward a trade on Monday.

On Sunday, Chris Mortensen of ESPN stated that the Chiefs were a “candidate” to have emerged in trade talks for Earl Thomas. Given the positional need and Thomas’s status as a six-time Pro Bowler, a lot of Chiefs Kingdom began discussing the possible cost and benefit.

However, Reid shot down those ideas on Monday with a single statement: “I know the rumors are out there but that’s not where we’re at.”

Ron Parker was re-signed shortly before the season began and immediately took over his former starting role since the season began given Sorensen’s long-term injury. In Berry’s place, Eric Murray has played the majority, if not all, of the snaps but he’s performed poorly in his absence despite being on the field so much.

On the negative side, it’s frustrating to hear that the Chiefs aren’t interested in improving the safety position via trade at this point. There are still nice options on the open market that should be able to step in and perform better than Murray especially at this stage, including Eric Reid, Tyvon Branch or Mike Mitchell. Some free safety candidates, e.g. Mitchell, would allow Parker to slide over or at least would give the Chiefs a bit more depth to allow a rotation of help.

Then again, the Chiefs continue to win despite the roster holes and things can only get better going forward. Either Murray will turn a corner as he’s still a younger player or the Chiefs will get players back from the injured list for the stretch run. Even more, it’s possible a developing player could make a difference a la Armani Watts.

For now the Chiefs are 3-0 with the league’s best offense and one of the worst overall defenses. It’s a formula that’s working in the interim and Andy Reid’s single statement insinuates the team is going to be patient for the moment.